Sheffield Steelers captain Dion Darling believes retaining the Elite League play-off trophy would be the perfect end to a difficult season for the club.

Steelers won the inaugural Elite League title last season - the third time in four years they had topped the top-flight - but finished a disappointing fifth this term, their lowest placing since the 1998-99 campaign.

The club suffered a huge pre-season blow when Canadian Mike Blaisdell, the most successful coach in British ice hockey, left to become the new assistant coach at home-town club the Regina Pats.

In total, the former National Hockey League player won 10 trophies since joining the Steelers in the 1999-2000 campaign and was also inducted into the British Ice Hockey Writers Association's Hall of Fame at the end of last season.

Steelers brought in Rob Stewart - who was replaced in the summer at Belfast Giants by British legend Tony Hand - but his tenure ended in February when Paul Heavey, who guided Manchester Phoenix to the play-off semi-finals last season, came in.

Steelers begin their play-off campaign at Cardiff Devils tonight with several players on both sides suffering with injuries.

Darling said: "The six teams in the play-offs are all going to be strong. I am sure London will surprise a few people, Belfast and Coventry are solid as are Cardiff despite them missing a few guys. But a lot of people like to see Sheffield lose!

"It was an unbelievable feeling to lift the trophy last year. To be honest I did not realise until this year how hard it actually is to win silverware. You just kind of took it for granted.

"When you play for Sheffield Steelers you are expected to win things every year and this is a chance for us to redeem ourselves."

Darling has hailed the impact of Heavey at Sheffield Arena, adding: "I think we are more defence-minded. Rob was used to a run-and-gun game which he had in Belfast, but our team was not designed for that. Not many Steelers teams over the years have done that.